1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules
Shared accounts will be removed Plugin Downloads Zero spam policy Forum Rules

Question Adding a linear actuator to 2DOF with classic motors

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by Miszor, Dec 13, 2025.

Tags:
  1. Miszor

    Miszor New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2024
    Messages:
    24
    Balance:
    100Coins
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, Arduino
    Hi,
    I'd like to ask if it's possible to add a linear actuator to an existing 2DOF project with 250W, 75 rpm motors (from a wheelchair) to simulate traction loss.
    Basically, I'm looking to combine two different types of devices in Simtools.
    If so, which axis plugin should I use in Simtools? Maybe the generic 2D standard (which is what I'm currently using) and add the actuator as a third axis?
    Miszor, Dec 13, 2025
    #1
  2. Joe Cortexian

    Joe Cortexian Active Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2021
    Messages:
    256
    Balance:
    1,537Coins
    Ratings:
    +67 / 1 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF
    I just use the same SimTools settings. Since a ball screw might rotate 50 times that’s the key. So the SMC3 software has to scale the SimTools input so that 512 SimTools units is 50 turns. There may be another solution but that part was easy to do.

    I ran into two difficult problems. Finding a multi turn encoder solution for SMC3 and dealing with ibt-2 issues when the motor is running at 5000RPM. Due to these issues I changed to AC servos and that is working with my own custom software. There are several SMC3 like AC servos projects you can grab here and use.

    The software problem was supporting a multi turn encoder in SMC3. I was already using Hall effect sensors in PWM mode. There isn’t time to use these in I2C mode and the wrap in analog mode is problematic. The wrap doesn’t go from 1023 to 0. It goes from a high random number above 980 to a low random number less than 50.

    The ibt-2 problem is a hardware issue. Maybe a better driver or maybe a better motor. It was either back EMF or a power spike. The motor would stall even when it was not under load in the SMCUtils “Motion” test. Either way it didn’t seem like a good solution to future linear actuator projects.
    Joe Cortexian, Dec 16, 2025
    #2